Lu Xiyuan murmured, “So the Prince of Donghai did it intentionally…”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded firmly, “This revenge, I must repay!”

Lu Xiyuan said nothing.

Zhao Hanzhang looked at him and decisively stood up to untie him. She even helped dust off his robes and the mud on his knees, sighing, “Master Lu, if you want to leave I won’t stop you, but you cannot leave right now.”

“Apart from Magistrate Zhang, you understand the situation in Yuyin Jun best.” Zhao Hanzhang said, “Now that Magistrate Zhang is gone, you must stay and help me manage the transition in Yuyin Jun. After this matter is settled, if you still insist on leaving, I will give you a generous parting gift.”

Lu Xiyuan was no fool. He almost instantly understood and asked compliantly, “If Lu is willing to stay…”

Zhao Hanzhang immediately responded excitedly, “That would naturally be Hanzhang’s great fortune. With your assistance, Yuyin Jun and Yuzhou will only get better and better in the future.”

Lu Xiyuan only hesitated briefly before stepping back and bowing deeply to Zhao Hanzhang, “I am willing to follow you, my lady.”

Zhao Hanzhang’s lips curved up as she supported him, telling him there was no need for such formality.

Lu Xiyuan then looked at his attendant still kneeling on the ground and said apologetically, “Commander, my attendant is quite stubborn and doesn’t know his own strength. He accidentally injured your personal guards…”

Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang immediately helped him up and untied him too, smiling, “He is your attendant. Protecting you is his duty. This is a loyal and righteous man—what crime could there be?”

After untying him, Zhao Hanzhang called over a personal guard, “Quickly arrange quarters for Master Lu and have the military physician examine both master and servant.”

The guard acknowledged and led the two away.

Only after they had gone far did Zhao Hanzhang say to Ting He, “Go on my behalf to check on the injured guards and have the military physician treat them well.”

She continued, “They captured Lu Xiyuan alive—this is a great achievement. Have Sun Linghui record their merit, and later you should personally give them additional rewards.”

Ting He acknowledged the order.

Having gained a new advisor, Zhao Hanzhang’s mood improved considerably. She finally managed to sleep peacefully for an hour before dawn.

At first light, the sounds of soldiers training could be heard outside. Zhao Hanzhang rose with slightly dark circles under her eyes. She looked carefully in the bronze mirror and asked Ting He, “Do I look haggard?”

Ting He shook her head, “Not haggard.”

“Good,” Zhao Hanzhang straightened up and said, “Today I’m meeting General Gou—I must appear spirited.”

Ting He thought for a moment and suggested, “Why doesn’t my lady apply powder? That way you can also cover the darkness under your eyes.”

Zhao Hanzhang considered this but shook her head, “Forget it. What if we need to fight? If I start sweating, the makeup will run and that won’t look good.”

Zhao Hanzhang changed into light, practical clothing and told Ting He, “We’ll keep it simple.”

Zhao Ming was accompanying Zhao Hanzhang to meet Gou Xi, so he also changed clothes. His outfit appeared low-key and ordinary, yet still featured wide sleeves and flowing robes with excellent drape. Most importantly, his makeup today was particularly well done.

During breakfast, this drew continuous glances from both Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan.

Zhao Erlang was most direct. Seeing his sister and brother-in-law keep looking at Uncle Ming, he followed their gaze and said bluntly, “Uncle Ming, you look especially handsome today.”

The corners of Zhao Ming’s mouth lifted as he placed a steamed bun in Zhao Erlang’s bowl, “Eat more.”

Zhao Erlang happily bit off more than half the bun in one bite and ate heartily.

Only then did Zhao Ming’s gaze slide toward Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan, asking, “Have you looked enough?”

The two immediately lowered their heads to eat, also offering a compliment, “Uncle, you look very good today.”

Zhao Ming gave a soft snort and said to Fu Tinghan, “As a gentleman, one’s appearance should be neat and appropriate. It’s not just about wearing good clothes and arranging one’s hair. Later I’ll have someone teach Fu’an.”

Fu Tinghan didn’t particularly want to wear makeup, but he couldn’t refuse an elder’s kind intentions, so he said, “I’ll ask Fu’an if he can spare the time.”

He surely couldn’t spare the time.

Zhao Hanzhang thought silently.

The thought had barely crossed her mind when Zhao Ming’s gaze turned to her, “You are a young lady—you should pay even more attention to your appearance. Look at you…”

Zhao Ming’s face showed complete disdain, “Every day with a dusty face—which lady acts like you?”

Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang immediately sped up her eating, wanting to get away from Zhao Ming.

He said, “Even as an Administrator, you should be composed and presentable. Rushing about like this—what kind of example does that set?”

Zhao Hanzhang’s hand paused mid-bite of her steamed bun, and she slowed down.

After finishing breakfast, Zhao Hanzhang felt uncomfortably full. She turned to whisper instructions to Ting He, “From now on we don’t need to eat breakfast together—everyone can eat in their own tents.”

Ting He acknowledged.

Zhao Hanzhang exhaled in relief. Hearing the training sounds from the camp, she finally relaxed her shoulders and felt alive again, “Let’s muster the troops. We’re going to meet General Gou.”

Zhao Hanzhang had arranged a time with Ming Yu. Seeing it was getting late, she led a contingent of soldiers to the riverside to meet Gou Xi.

This was the first formal meeting between the two armies after the battle, so Zhao Hanzhang brought all her generals.

Important advisors like Ji Yuan and Zhao Ming naturally accompanied her as well.

The Prince of Donghai across the river noticed unusual activity on this side and immediately ran to the riverbank to look.

The river was quite wide—even crossbows couldn’t shoot across—so he felt safe having a high platform built at the riverside and stood on it to observe this side.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced over there, “No wonder Master Ji wanted to take a boat across to persuade them. Shouting from this side, they really can’t hear over there.”

Fu Tinghan handed her a box.

Zhao Hanzhang reached out to take it and opened it curiously, “What’s this… a telescope?”

Fu Tinghan nodded, “The Shangcai glassworks sent it yesterday. I was going to give it to you, but couldn’t find the right moment.”

Zhao Hanzhang happily took it out and looked toward the opposite shore, asking, “When did they make this?”

“The letter said it’s been ready for a while, but they couldn’t send it during the war. They only sent it after the Xiongnu army withdrew.”

Zhao Hanzhang adjusted the focus and immediately zeroed in on the Prince of Donghai on the high platform.

The Prince of Donghai was quite old, with a graying beard and somewhat overweight. He was squinting toward this side. Perhaps sensing Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze, his wandering eyes suddenly lifted to meet hers. Through the telescope, the two seemed to lock eyes across the distance.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly at him, raised her pinky finger toward the opposite shore, and turned it downward.

Fu Tinghan: …

Zhao Ming didn’t understand the gesture but felt it was very impolite. He couldn’t help calling her sternly, “Zhao Hanzhang!”

Zhao Hanzhang lowered the telescope and turned to smile obediently at Zhao Ming.

Zhao Ming was quite displeased and asked, “What are you doing? You are not only a lady, but should also conduct yourself as a gentleman.”

She couldn’t be a gentleman—she wanted revenge. She still remembered Zhao Changyu’s death in her heart.